A fantastic book which touched me and made me laugh, cry and gasp throughout.

Not my usual type of read but I thoroughly enjoyed it, well done Emma on your debut novel.

The Songs of Us.

I'd forgotten the synopsis of this book when I came to read it, so went in a bit blind. Well, I loved it. I laughed, giggled, sighed and cried through the book. I can't remember the last time a book brought me to tears. Melody's character, and those of her family absorb you, they feel very real as you read. I started it a few days ago, and then read practically the whole book today. I just couldn't put it down. I'm so pleased I read it, but do make sure that you have tissues ready!

This book has all the hallmarks of a huge bestseller!
I loved...
the story line
the family unity, even in the most difficult of circumstances
the research that Emma has done is second to none
the way I laughed at all the daft things that Mel did, but I felt like I was laughing with her rather than at her.

Such a great book, I couldn't put it down.

Warning: do not, I repeat do not, attempt to read the last quarter of this book in public. For two reasons, 1) I'm pretty sure I cried the whole last 40 pages or so, 2) you will not be able to put it down. So yes, I finished reading this on an airplane on my way home from a wedding. Sobbing.

But you know what? It was so well done, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

If you hadn't noticed, I tend to stick in the same categories. Fantasy, fiction, and I'm trying to branch out. A good writer reads, and good readers read diversely. Emma's book started me on my path. A contemporary novel, set from the view point of a single mother struggling to make ends meet with children who have their own hardships. It is a refreshingly hard hitting novel, that beautifully details real life with a side heaping of humor along the way.

The characters are multi-dimensional, all seamlessly woven together and so vivid that it baffles me that this wasn't a memoir. Because life—and being a part of a family—it isn't easy, but it can be silly, and sad, and frustrating, but most of all it's wrapped up in love. And this pours out of the pages of The Songs of Us. I laughed, rolled my eyes, snorted at antics, hummed along to the songs, and grinned through the shenanigans that were sprinkled in this novel detailing the lives of the King family.

I won't give away the ending, I always promise to stay away from spoilers, but this book is emotionally challenging. I was completely taken from left field, and if anyone needs to talk afterwards. Please feel free to reach out. But I could not recommend this book, and it's phenomenal writer more.

A final warning: you may also be reminded that magic isn't just in fairy tales, but in the love that comes from the family and friends that surround us.

How does one review a book that touches your heart and tugs at your soul?

This is a story of Melody, who falls and hits her head, following which she develops a strange syndrome, which causes her to break out into songs whenever she’s anxious and stressed.
This is a story of her teenage children, Rose and Flynn. Flynn, who sustained a serious injury to his face, when he went flying out of the windshield of the car being driven by his father, Dev, has to deal with bullying from his peers not only because of his permanently scarred and disfigured face, but also due to his wacko mum.
Rose too faces similar embarrassment while having to deal her mum’s condition, but she never could let go of her father disappearing. She has clung on to the hope that he will be found somewhere.

Yes, Dev just went missing one day – and no amount of searching could help trace him. The family ultimately concluded that he was dead.
And so they were living, this dysfunctional family of three, dealing with their own problems, their intricacies, their issues and they were coping…

Till Rose comes across a man, who resembles their father. His name is Tom Simmonds. And so this family of three will make one trip to find out if this is the man who apparently abandoned them.

This is also a story of Tom – a man who you would relate to. A man whose world was about to turn topsy-turvy.

A book full of warmth, a beautiful and poignant novel. The story and the relationships amongst the protagonists are so heart-warming and real.
The essence of motherhood is captured oh-so-perfectly, the feelings, the sibling bonding, the hopes, the disappointments, the joy – this is a family saga.
A story of family, of loving, belonging, believing and never letting go.
The love story is what movies are made of – and it makes you want to believe in forever and happily ever after.

Please read it. You won't regret it. One bit.

Loved, loved, loved this book!!!!! The story of Me,ody, who spontaneously bursts into song, and her children Flynn and Rose. Melody belives her husband Dev is dead - he walked out on them and is nowhere to be seen. She’s long given up looking for him, but the children want to go on a trip to find someone they think could be their dad. Melody is certain it can’t be Dev, he’s definitely dead! They find Tom.....he’s loat his memory.....but he's got the same tattoo as Dev......the story takes some twists and turns, some made me laugh out loud, many of them made me cry. A beautifully written book, which I loved. I wanted the story to continue forever. Absolutely deserves its five stars, if I could give it more I would. I haven’t enjoyed a book like this for quite some time.

I feel emotionally drained after this book. What a rollercoaster. I was expecting angst and heartache turning into a happily ever after but what I got was so much more. I cried in so many parts of this book but also laughed at all the inappropriate times. Melody is my hero along with Flynn. This story just his home on so many levels about the what ifs and whys. I can’t praise this book enough. I am emotionally wrung out but in the best possible way

An emotional rollercoaster of a novel, this one is a very sensitively written story of what family is and what it means to be 'us'.

Melody and her kids Flynn and Rose bring a smile to the face and a lump in the throat, the way they deal with their unusual circumstances with so much love and togetherness.
Ever since her fall after slipping on ice, Melody cannot control when and where she breaks into songs defining what she is feeling at the particular time. Her children fully understand and support her, even dealing with her singing all night.
Their dad suddenly disappeared years ago after a terrible incident that shook the family and has been missing since.
Flynn and Rose, close as they are to their mother, have issues of their own to deal with as teen-agers.
A new clue as to a possible sighting of their dad, years later, leads the family to take a trip together and is the start of something that changes their lives totally.
The story has humour, love, sibling bonding and lots of emotional moments profoundly described.
Truly heartfelt and one that stays with you long after you read the last page.

An absolute gut-wrenching tale that will leave you howling with laughter as well as crying for your soul. This book is looking to be an amazing award winner and I'll be surprised if it doesn't hit Number 1 rankings everywhere

This is one of those books that you can’t read in public without drawing attention to yourself. A bit like the main character Melody who involuntarily bursts into song at inappropriate moments, I had a fair few occasions of bursting into public laughter and a good few sniffles and sobs as well.

The Songs of Us is a beautiful, life affirming and poignant novel. I don’t think I have ever loved a bunch of characters quite as much as I did these. The relationships between them are also incredibly heart warming and real.

Emma Cooper has a wonderful ability to show life in all it’s sad, testing, imperfect and ridiculous reality, whilst also revealing the joy and hilarity which weaves through the storylines of our lives. And she captures motherhood so perfectly, the feelings, pressures, joy – it’s a true celebration of this too. The love story is also stunning… what a wonderful premise.

There are sections that are so beautifully written, they take you right there with the characters – the tastes, smells and sights pulling you in.

I particularly loved how the tuning of instruments and the last bars of a song’s introduction (inside her head) marked a coming outburst, and would have Melody legging it out of some situations. The choice and timing of some of the songs is true hilarious genius!

Ultimately, I think this book is a gem and will be lapped up. The title and cover alone had me itching to read it! I laughed, sighed, sobbed and smiled my way through the pages. It hooked me and I loved it!

What a beautifully written book. Emma Cooper has done an amazing job of pulling my heartstrings, making me laugh out loud and cry in equal measures. A heartwarming story about Melody and her family, struggling with their own personal issues as well as dealing with each other’s on a daily basis. With wonderful, believable characters this is a very emotionally moving book that shows the love of a family can conquer all. I really do highly recommend this book... you won’t be disappointed.

I was blessed to be able read an advanced copy of this book for an honest review and to be honest, I'm a little lost for words.

I read the blurb to this book before requesting it, and thought it sounded like a light, chic-lit read and in the very beginning, I did wonder what I'd signed up for and if I would actually finish it. See if you really know me, you will know that I am extremely fussy with what I read and rarely ever give out 5 stars.

The first thing that struck me about this book when I started reading it is that it was funny. Not just a giggle here and there, but 'Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum' laugh out loud funny. From the opening chapter, I fell into the twisted world of Melody, who breaks out into a song and dance whenever she is anxious, Flynn, who struggles to deal with his anger and Rose, who struggles with the loss of her missing Dad and inability to make friends. A dysfunctional family who no matter what life threw at them, they always stuck together and always made the best of a bad situation. Then came Tom, who lost his memory 11 years earlier and can't remember where he came from, who complimented the story to perfection. Written beautifully from the points of view from everyone, I felt like an intruder on this families lives through the writings of journals or Melody's first person viewpoint. As the laughs lessened and I became more and more invested in the characters, the tears started and didn't stop until the very last word. I was left heartbroken that this book had to come to an end, I could have read this book for what seems like ever.

As I said, I don't give out 5 star reviews easily, but when I do, it's because the book moved me, really connected with me on a personal level and took me to the world of it's characters; their lives, their loves and their losses and this book did not disappoint!

A 5 star rating from me. Thank you Emma for this amazingly heartwarming story of love, loss and moving on.

Wow! What a beautifully written debut novel.

From the opening sentence, this book grips you by the wrist and pulls you into the life of Melody King. A very apt name for the main character and she knows it. She is lovable and endearing and you are rooting for her from the off.

There are several little twists and I don't want to risk putting in any spoilers that may detract from this gorgeously crafted, and utterly unique, story.

The writing is delicious and, at times, quite poetic. Laughter and tears are the order of the day so be sure to keep the tissues close by.

Emma Cooper has created something quite stunning and I'm already looking forward to her next offering.

The Songs of Us is quite possibly my favourite of all the books that I have read so far this year. What could have been a thoroughly depressing book, given the hand that has been dealt to the main characters, is in fact surprisingly warm and funny. The entire premise of the book is completely heartbreaking, and yet there is a feeling of hope throughout, and the author's sense of humour shines out through the pages. This is a book that takes you on a real rollercoaster ride through your emotions making you laugh and cry in equal measure.

I wish I could give this book 10 stars

Wow what a book, I was instantly gripped by this heart warming book about the love of a family and their journey.
The book tells a story though the eyes of each character and is so well written and descriptive that you fell everything that the characters feels, which makes the story so much more real.

The book covers a lot of emotional and difficult topics and you can tell by the way Emma has written that she must of done some fantastic research on all the topics.

This book is an emotional rollercoaster and will make you laugh, cry and break you heart all at the same time. It certainly has made me grateful for what I have and never take people for granted. Love is a very special thing and this book certainly shows that. A fantastic book Emma, well done.

I would highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more books by Emma.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, had a great story line, likeable characters and a surprising ending.

This book had it all - comedy, excitement, suspense and heartbreak. It had me laughing out loud and sobbing like a heartbroken teenager.

I have to be honest, at first I thought the premise was bit ridiculous - a woman who sings entire songs when she's anxious, but it is so well written that I was completely convinced that it could be possible. It helped that the lead characters were well put together - they seemed so real to me. They were likeable and relate-able, I grew attached very quickly.

More than anything I have to compliment Emma Cooper on the penultimate chapter. It was so beautiful. I haven't cried like that, at a book, in a long while.

This is a really well written, heartwarming read. It’s got exactly the right balance of parts to make you laugh, cry and it’s the type of book you’ll think about long after reading it.

I loved The Songs Of Us. It is a unique and very well written tale, the characters are endearing and their exploits had me laughing out loud. All of the main characters are interesting and well-rounded. The storyline succeeds in being funny and heart wrenching at the same time. A charming and captivating novel. My thanks to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 🌟 is not enough for this book

The Songs Of Us is based around Melody and her two kids Flynn and Rose and later in the book Tom. Melody has a medical condition which shows itself when she is stressed and anxious, she sings not quietly but full on out loud and dances in public!

Flynn and Rose are both dealing with their own personal issues which started not long after their dad disappeared. When Mum starts to sing they just accept it although embarrassed sometimes they try carry on as if nothing is happening.

I loved the relationship between the three of them typical teenagers fighting one minute but incredibly supportive of each other when times are difficult. There is nothing the kids won’t do to support their mum.

Lots of songs are mentioned in the book and at one point I couldn’t get the song “Beauty School Dropout” out of my head amongst other songs as I read the book.

You will laugh, sob, feel your heart racing and stomach sinking but most of all this book and characters will stay with you for a considerable time.